The Setting Apart!
The Endless Journey - John • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Reading:
1 Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear;
2 but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.
Introduction:
Watching children grow is amazing.
When they are little they learn so many different things.
They learn to walk
They learn to speak
They learn to listen
They don’t stop there, they keep learning.
As the parents you have hope for them to reach their potential in all aspects of life.
As they grow you see them becoming their own individual.
They begin to have desires and goals of their own.
You see a separation from going with the crowd to finding their own way.
One realm where you can see this happen drastically is sports.
When little kids play together you see an aggressiveness about certain kids while playing.
You watch them as they get older and they have the same aggressiveness; but learned the skills to use it properly.
They separate themselves from the crowd and people recognize a difference between them and others.
(Jake Long - Illustration)
This is what we can find about Jesus in John 7.
He publicly separates Himself from the religious!
Jesus alone stands apart — and He invites us to stand with Him.
Back in John 5, Jesus brought the public ridicule.
He claimed equality with God, and saying that His work is equal to God’s work, making it ok to heal or work on the Sabbath.
Because “God works on the Sabbath”!
Transition:
The way He separates Himself is progressive.
Choices we make impact those closes to us first, there was no difference when it came to Jesus.
Jesus’ message began a gap between Him and:
His Family (1-10)
His Family (1-10)
After healing on the Sabbath the target on Jesus was big!
Big enough for many who followed Him stopped believing and walked away from following Him.
They became skeptical because Jesus didn’t fit into the mold they wanted Him to and He wasn’t what they expected.
Connection:
How many times do we not believe Jesus because of the same things?
He might not answer certain prayers in the way we expect and it causes us to disbelieve in Him as Lord.
He might not fit in the mold that we have crafted for Him to fit in as God.
Do we humbly accept His will or do we demand our own?
Point:
When we proclaim Jesus as Lord of our life that means we are His subordinates.
Not in a demeaning or demoralizing way.
It is more of a position to be useful for the overall goal!
That goal is lifting Him up so all will be drawn to Him.
Our purpose is more than just ourselves, it is eternal security for all who see Him and believe.
Let Him lead you and watch Him change people you point to Him.
All of that to say that Jesus didn’t fit into any molds.
That disappointment caused a reaction in people and they chose to leave from following Him.
65 And He said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted Him by the Father.”
66 After this many of His disciples turned back and no longer walked with Him.
This public target and falling away while the Jews were looking for Him brought situational awareness to the table.
1 After this Jesus went about in Galilee. He would not go about in Judea, because the Jews were seeking to kill Him.
2 Now the Jews’ Feast of Booths was at hand.
The feast of booths was one of three festivals that, by Jewish law, all must attend if they could, especially if they lived close enough to make the journey.
The Jews would’ve expected Jesus to attend, according to Jewish laws and since He is (according to them) making Himself a “religious leader”.
They could take Him at the festival since He was a blasphemer.
Jesus knew the charges they could bring, so instead of going to the festival and allowing them to take Him, He stayed back since it wasn’t time yet.
Wrong festival, that would be passover, He would be “inspected” until that time comes.
The transition into the public self-proclaiming by Jesus brought skepticism for who He is and His purpose.
There was early skepticism even from His family, we can read about it in Mark 3.
In Mark three Jesus told the 12 that they would go out and preach, and cast out demons.
At Jesus’ home this was the welcome from His family:
21 And when His family heard it, they went out to seize Him, for they were saying, “He is out of His mind.”
Jesus’ own family thought He was nuts.
How and why would they not know Jesus was the Messiah and that this is God’s will for Him?
Maybe they didn’t have these types of conversations, or ignored the abnormal things about Him growing up.
Either way they were skeptical of the claims He was making.
I’m sure they knew the punishment for blasphemy; but maybe they were in agreement with that judgment on Jesus?
If you’re still not sure about his siblings we can read the moment where it is supposed that James, His brother, began to have faith in Him.
7 Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles.
Jesus was crucified, buried, and rose from the grave.
With the wounds in His hands, and in His side He reveals Himself to James. - Only then did James believe!
Back in John - His brothers, in their unbelief seem to mock Him regarding His lack of politicking that He should be doing.
3 So His brothers said to Him, “Leave here and go to Judea, that your disciples also may see the works you are doing.
4 For no one works in secret if he seeks to be known openly. If you do these things, show yourself to the world.”
Connection:
The people closest to Jesus, who knew Him were skeptical of His claims.
It seems that His family found it difficult to believe in Him as the Messiah.
His public ministry began to set Him apart from His family.
Not that He disowned them; but the fact that His purpose in life was bigger than they wanted to acknowledge.
Application:
The moments when we hear Jesus being proclaimed as God, are we skeptical?
Maybe moments when we are asked to pray with or for others, do we believe that the Lord will work in that scenario?
Where’s our faith?
24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.
7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;
Our lack of faith reveals our skepticism, similar to when we say things like:
“All we can do is pray”
Suggesting that Jesus is our last resort.
Even though He says: Make me your first option and only option!
Believe that He knows, cares, and will have His way and it is best.
It wasn’t just His family that were skeptical or didn’t believe, neither did:
His People (11-29)
His People (11-29)
11 The Jews were looking for Him at the feast, and saying, “Where is He?”
12 And there was much muttering about Him among the people. While some said, “He is a good man,” others said, “No, He is leading the people astray.”
13 Yet for fear of the Jews no one spoke openly of Him.
The Jews rejected Him.
What they exhibited was exactly how any society would handle a person who claims to be important and desire power.
Discuss each other's opinions on the matter.
The power that was being threatened wasn’t political, it was in the religious realm, where the Jews held all the power.
We can see this in how people responded to the Jews being present while deliberating opinions. The people were afraid.
13 Yet for fear of the Jews no one spoke openly of him.
Place yourself in their culture and positions:
Jesus came claiming to be God.
Troubling; but not entirely scary or threatening to the leaders.
It was His claim, and what He did that caused them to fear.
Jesus didn’t just claim to be God and do work on the Sabbath, His work was to heal a man who couldn’t walk for over 38 years.
He believed Jesus’ words and showed obedience by standing.
Changing water to wine in vessels that were for washing not drinking.
Claiming to offer spiritual fulfillment for all eternity.
Jesus’ actions were lining up with His words, that made them afraid.
Jesus said He wouldn’t attend the festival, so He went up to the temple and taught.
What He was teaching wasn’t highlighted here; but what was highlighted is the fact that the “unlearned” was teaching the “learned”.
Paul’s upbringing sheds light into this picture.
Paul’s voice was “valid” because of his degree earned at the feet of Gamaliel.
3 “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day.
The student could only be as good or as valid as their teacher, and Paul had the best!
Jesus had no teacher, a carpenter who probably taught mortise and tenon joints, and other kinds of wood joinery.
What could the carpenter possibly have passed onto his understudy about the Torah?
Assuming that education is most important is still in practice today.
Education doesn’t equal the call or quantify the qualifications for ministry.
From the Jews perspective they weren’t just skeptical, they were condemning.
15 The Jews therefore marveled, saying, “How is it that this man has learning, when He has never studied?”
Jesus claimed to be taught and sent by God Himself!
16 So Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but His who sent me.
Jesus reveals where His education came from and what His message is!
It is from God and He sent me here to give His message.
This was probably perceived as Jesus claiming to be a prophet.
A prophet was one who, when they spoke, they spoke on behalf of God!
Their words are God’s words.
This wasn’t abnormal for prophets of God to do amazing things; but Jesus already claimed something greater than being a prophet - He claimed to be God, and equal with Him!
For this reason the Jews were plotting to trap and kill Jesus.
Jesus points out their motivation, for all to hear.
17 If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority.
18 The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood.
19 Has not Moses given you the law? Yet none of you keeps the law. Why do you seek to kill me?”
Jesus suggests that if the Jews were to study all scripture it would reveal the truth: Jesus is the Messiah.
They all pointed to Jesus and yet the Jews denied the truth and ignored it entirely.
Worse than that, they wanted to commit murder to silence Him and cover His purpose for being.
The group of people reacted to what Jesus said: but they didn’t know the Jew’s wanted to kill Him.
20 The crowd answered, “You have a demon! Who is seeking to kill you?”
Jesus spoke from scripture and truth:
21 Jesus answered them, “I did one work, and you all marvel at it.
22 Moses gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath.
23 If on the Sabbath a man receives circumcision, so that the law of Moses may not be broken, are you angry with me because on the Sabbath I made a man’s whole body well?
24 Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”
Jesus is highlighting a person circumcised on the Sabbath and what are they doing to that person?
One commentator explains Jesus’ response in this way:
John 1–11 (2) The Middle of Tabernacles: A Three-Part Dialogue (7:14–36)
Jesus employed a Jewish casuistic method of argument to prove that he was not actually breaking the law. Rabbinic casuistic arguments set laws side by side and determined the priority of one law over another when in any life situations two or more laws seemed to be in conflict.
The main focus for the argument was that Jesus refused to be placed in a category breaking the law in the same way that the Jews weren’t breaking the law when circumcising someone on the Sabbath.
Because Circumcision took precedence over the Sabbath!
Connection:
Someone’s covenant between them and God was more important than abiding to a law that was given after the covenant promise.
Jesus’ healing of a man’s body was more important than the Sabbath.
Hence verse 24:
24 Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”
The whole interaction raised some questions.
25 Some of the people of Jerusalem therefore said, “Is not this the man whom they seek to kill?
26 And here He is, speaking openly, and they say nothing to Him! Can it be that the authorities really know that this is the Christ?
Transition:
Jesus set Himself apart from the Jews, His own people, as one that is superior and they are desiring to break a commandment making themselves hypocrites to the rules they seemingly uphold and enforce.
Jesus was set apart from the Jews rituals and we find in 30-53 that He separates Himself apart from:
Religious Authority (30-53)
Religious Authority (30-53)
In the crowds the Pharisees heard all that took place.
Remember the Pharisees were the more “religious” and strict.
To them Jesus must be arrested and killed for blasphemy.
32 The Pharisees heard the crowd muttering these things about Him, and the chief priests and Pharisees sent officers to arrest Him.
They couldn’t arrest Him.
It wasn’t His time yet, that would be at Passover. But from here to that moment Jesus was being inspected as the Lamb who was without spot!
Worthy of a sacrificial lamb!
Jesus continued proclaiming Faith in Him will save!
37 On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.
38 Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ ”
Jesus had been specific in His statements, and arguments, not just for the Jews, Religious leaders, but also for anyone in the crowd.
Connection:
Every person is an individual, we don’t share a hive mind.
Meaning: If there were ten people giving testimonies there would be ten different points of view or reasons for things happening.
Amongst the crowd there were many who were stirred by what Jesus said and implied.
Possibly bringing some to faith in Him, or at least a seed to be sown.
40 When they heard these words, some of the people said, “This really is the Prophet.”
41 Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “Is the Christ to come from Galilee?
42 Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the offspring of David, and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David was?”
43 So there was a division among the people over him.
44 Some of them wanted to arrest Him, but no one laid hands on Him.
Each and every time we hear Gods word, read it, or think about it hopefully it stirs up your spirit to cause action.
Maybe to trust in a scenario that you have been trying to control.
Maybe choosing humility and asking forgiveness from God and others because you have a grudge?
Maybe thinking about where you will spend eternity.
In heaven with Jesus because you received the gift of grace by asking Him to save you and believing that He is God and can forgive your sins.
Or in hell separated from God and all things that are good in eternal torment.
The stirring inside of you is God reaching you on a spiritual level, as a Father that loves you and guides you to what is best for you.
Respond to Him in faith, believe Him and trust Him moving forward.
Conclusion:
Jesus didn't separate Himself from His family, His people, and the religious establishment because He was difficult or divisive.
He did it because truth always separates.
A man who heals the sick, teaches without a degree, and claims to be sent by God Himself cannot simply blend into the crowd. And He didn't.
He stood in the middle of the temple, on the last and greatest day of the feast, and cried out — not whispered, not suggested — cried out:
"If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink."
Inviting every skeptic in that crowd — His family members, the Jews, and the Pharisees — to come and drink.
That invitation is still open today.
You might be here today with the same skepticism His brothers had — you know the stories, you're familiar with the name, but you're not quite sure.
You might be like the crowd — genuinely stirred, but still on the fence.
Take this with you:
Jesus doesn't need you to fit Him into your expectations.
He is the Messiah.
He is already set apart.
The only question left is — where will you stand?
Will you remain in the crowd, debating opinions and keeping quiet out of fear?
Or will you respond to the stirring inside you and say, "Lord, I believe. Lead me."
Jesus separated Himself — so that you could be brought near.
-Pray!
